In today’s digital age, online learning has drastically changed the way in which we access education. Online learning provides a unique opportunity to learn at one’s own pace and can open many doors of opportunity, such as moving into a successful career in the public service sector. In this article, you’ll learn all the aspects of how online learning makes it possible for more people to move into public service roles by examining the definition of online learning, its benefits, and an overview of the public service sector. Finally, see how you can leverage online learning to move into a career in the public service sector yourself.
Why learn online?
Online learning, also referred to as e-learning or distance learning is a form of education that takes place over the internet. It allows individuals who are unable to attend traditional classes in person due to various factors such as location and cost constraints, physical disabilities, or caregiver responsibilities an opportunity to engage with their course material at any time they choose while located anywhere convenient for them.
This use of digital methods for instruction has made it possible for more people to gain qualifications, and often at higher rates of student achievement than in traditional classroom settings. Additional advantages include reduced travel and tuition expenses, greater flexibility, increased accessibility, more efficient resource use, improved mobility, improved support services, better collaboration tools, flexible scheduling, positive environmental benefits, and innovative assessment approaches.
As more and more people discover the advantages of online learning, it is opening up new opportunities for individuals interested in entering a career within public service. For those without the flexibility to attend physical classes, online learning can offer an invaluable opportunity to acquire knowledge that might not have been accessible before.
As an example, these statistics provided by the National Center for Education Statistics provide compelling evidence that online education courses are a viable option for people who are looking to become educated to have a successful career. In 2020, over 97% of undergraduate students enrolled in at least one distance education course. Even more impressive is the 186% increase from 2019 in those exclusively enrolled in online courses. While the pandemic has been the catalyst for this increase, it is clear that students are embracing the flexibility and convenience of online learning.
Further, the study also highlights that distance education courses are especially beneficial for students at private for-profit 4-year institutions, with 73% of these students enrolled exclusively in distance education courses. This is great news for those who may not have access to in-person classes due to geographic, financial, or other constraints.
Overall, distance education courses offer a great opportunity for students to continue their education without having to sacrifice their other commitments or their health and safety. With access to a wide range of online courses and programs, students can now pursue their educational goals from the comfort of their own homes.
Online learning is also good due to its ability to personalize instruction options and provide convenient access whenever needed. This could be especially beneficial for students wanting quick results, such as degree completion programs where success requires highly focused study sessions over short periods. This analysis published by the US department of education suggests that online learning produces better results than traditional classrooms on average and implies that students may be more engaged with course material when using digital tools instead of the traditional approach. With the use of multiple platforms and devices, learners are presented with more opportunities to learn and retain information quickly, making their learning process more efficient.
Online learning vs. the traditional classroom
There are several key differences between traditional classroom learning and online learning for public service roles.
Traditional classroom learning typically takes place in a physical classroom, with classes taking place at regular intervals throughout the week, involving more direct interaction with instructors and classmates, as well as the use of physical materials such as textbooks, handouts, and other resources. On the other hand, online learning is conducted remotely over the internet and may be more flexible, allowing learners to complete coursework at their own pace and on their schedule. Online learning may offer some opportunities for interaction, such as through discussion forums or video conferencing, but may also be more isolated and individualized, relying more on digital materials such as videos, readings, and online lectures. Both traditional and online learning may involve assessments such as exams, projects, and papers, but the format and methods of assessment may differ, with traditional classroom learning possibly involving in-person exams and online learning perhaps involving online quizzes or assessments.
Both traditional classroom learning, and online learning have their advantages and disadvantages, and which option is best will depend on the individual learner’s needs and preferences. Some students may prefer the structure and face-to-face interaction of traditional classroom learning, while others may find online learning faster, more convenient, and more flexible. Ultimately, the decision will depend on what works best for each student’s learning style and goals.
Public service sector overview
The public sector is of great importance to our society as it is responsible for a variety of government ministries, departments, businesses, and organizations. This sector comprises many different occupations like civil servants, personnel from law enforcement and military branches, employees of SOEs, personnel associated with non-government organizations (NGOs) and charities, health care providers, educational institutes, local government, utilities, welfare organizations, pension companies, financial advisors, lawyers, professional associations, and trade unions.
Public servants need to execute a broad set of activities that are critical to the functioning of societies. An example is law enforcement and national security–this sector ensures the safety and security of citizens by patrolling borders, investigating crimes, and protecting against threats to national security.
Ensuring the safety and security of citizens is a critical responsibility for law enforcement professionals across the country. The complex threats posed by terrorism, cyber-security intrusions, organized crime, border control issues, and various forms of exploitation require officers to be vigilant in patrolling our nation’s borders. This includes keeping an eye out for suspicious activity from persons either attempting to enter or leave their respective countries and tracking down those who are already living on national soil with criminal backgrounds. Investigating crimes ranging from minor infractions up to major felonies also falls under this duty; police must make thorough use of investigative techniques such as data analysis, intelligence gathering, and surveillance technologies when trying to crack difficult cases. They are dedicated to protecting people’s lives while simultaneously working to combat threats that could cause large-scale damage to infrastructure in communities or nation-states; such threats include activities like hacking and other malicious acts.
One of their main responsibilities is emergency management, which involves responding to and coordinating rescue and relief efforts in the event of natural disasters or other crises. They also work to ensure that citizens have access to quality healthcare services, such as hospitals and clinics, and that infrastructure, including roads and bridges, is built, and maintained.
In addition, public servants are responsible for education reform, striving to improve the quality of education in their countries. They also work to protect the environment and natural resources, enforcing regulations and developing policies to reduce pollution and protect wildlife. Economic development is also a key focus, with public servants promoting growth and development by attracting investment, supporting small businesses, and creating jobs.
Public servants also play a crucial role in disaster relief, providing aid and assistance to affected communities in the wake of natural disasters and other emergencies. They are also responsible for developing and amending laws and regulations, working with lawmakers to create new legislation, and enforcing existing laws. Taxation policies are another important area of focus, with public servants making and executing tax policies, including collecting taxes and enforcing tax laws. Finally, public servants are responsible for fiscal planning, managing government budgets and resources, allocating funds, and making financial decisions.
The public sector plays a crucial role in the functioning of societies. Public servants, who work in a variety of different occupations, are responsible for a wide range of activities that are essential for the well-being of citizens. As you’ve read above, public servants’ occupations can range from working in law enforcement and national security to disaster relief. The collective work of public servants is vital for ensuring that societies run smoothly and that citizens can live fulfilling and productive lives.
Online education advantages for public service roles
Public service roles, which are notoriously difficult to enter and often require a brick-and-mortar education, can be challenging for those who do not have the means or the time to attend a traditional educational institution. This is because such roles typically require a substantial amount of face-to-face contact, which requires the individual to have access to transportation and the ability to spend long hours in physical classrooms. In addition, these roles usually require a significant amount of research, coursework, and study time, which can be difficult to fit into a busy schedule. This lack of flexibility is further compounded by the fact that much of the educational material is often outdated or irrelevant to the job, wasting valuable time and energy. Studies have found that traditional educational models can be very inefficient and lead to lower levels of job satisfaction in those who pursue public service roles.
Assuming students don’t live on campus, have a one-way commute of 45 minutes, and go to campus five times a week: that’s 450 minutes of sitting in traffic every week. This is about 7.5 hours or a full workday. A month would equate to roughly four workdays of sitting in traffic, and a 9-month school year for a 4-year program means 144 workdays wasted just in traffic. This is about 7.2 months of work, which could have been easily converted into accelerated studying or even earning valuable experience in the field.
Conversely, with online education, students have the opportunity to take classes from the comfort of their own homes, reducing the time wasted in traffic and allowing them to study and practice skills that are relevant to their chosen field.
Leveraging online learning
One way to leverage online learning to land a career in the public sector is to get a BA with online programs.
The Honors Bachelor of Arts in Policing from Laurier University is a 100% online degree program tailor-made for police officers and other law enforcement personnel located in Ontario, Canada. Instructors in this Canadian police university worked in the field of policing, and the program focuses on creating enhanced leadership abilities and consciousness of the developing world of policing. Students will take ten credits of integral courses in policing as well as ten elective credits, with a suggested 2 to 3 courses taken per term and the potential of gaining a degree in 3 to 4 years. Individuals who are currently working or who have previously worked in the police, law enforcement, or military organization may be able to transfer up to ten credits based on their current education and training and in accordance with the Ontario Police Services Act and related legislation.
Online Learning Boosts Public Sector Career Opportunities
The introduction of online learning has enabled more people to enter the public service sector. Online education provides a flexible and cost-effective way for those who wish to pursue this career path, granting access to quality resources and study times. Educational institutions around the world are also investing in such courses, providing subsidies for those wishing to join them as well as encouraging future growth overall.
In conclusion, online learning provides numerous benefits to those who are unable to attend physical classes due to various reasons, thus giving them an equal chance at success as those who attend traditional classes. Additionally, with the convenience of being able to complete coursework from home, with no time limitations, learners can focus more on their studies, leading to better results.
